The Dayton Mall Cinema was opened in 1969 with seating for 1,100. In 1972, the 500-seat Cinema 2 was opened upstairs near the food court. Cinemas 3 and 4 opened in 1979 across from Cinema 2, and Cinemas 5-8 were opened in 1984, outside the mall in the rear. Chakeres Theatres sold the cinemas to National Amusements in 1988.

Cinemas 2, 3 and 4 closed in 1993, 5-8 closed in 2000, and the original cinema closed in January 2001.The Cinema 2 is now a bookstore, cinema 1 is C.J. Banks, 5-8 is now apart of Old Navy and 3 & 4 still remain behind a wall after over a decade.

I am going to jump in here and say that I remember Cinema 2 being eventually equipped for 70MM presentations. I seem to remember viewing Roman Polanski’s film TESS in 70MM at Cinema 2. I also remember the 70MM print of TOWERING INFERNO being moved to Cinema 2 from Cinema 1, also. Cinema 1 and Cinema 2 were very well constructed and nicely equipped. Can’t say as much for 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8. Pretty much cookie-cutter multiplex cinemas.

Went up to the Dayton Amateur Radio Convention in May and I walked through the mall. Based on the descriptions provided here, I have what I believe to be a photo of #1 posted on Cinematour. It appears CJ Banks is Suite 700 and the remains of cinema 1 are labelled as suite 738. Cinema 1 is at Mall exit #2.

i believe cinemas 5-8 were opened in 1982 (not 84) since i worked there for 10 months that year. and yes, it was a piece of cheap crap.

not entirely sure, but i thought Cinema 1 was opened in 1971 with “Hello Dolly”.
Cinema 1 was the jewel of Dayton for nearly the whole time is was in operation.
though rumors of the swimming pool on the roof were untrue.

I worked there and loved it. I was 19 yrs old. I worked there when the original Star Wars were re-released in ‘97 and that was so much fun and really exciting! You wouldn’t believe how many weeks Titanic ran there in theatre 1. I understand now why it’s never been turned into a store. It’s storage. Such a shame! why oh why. My lovely friend Theatre 1 you are missed and still loved.

I worked at these theatres for several years, in the 80s, remember them fondly. Was there for the opening of the 5-8 theaters in the back, remember hiding mop buckets as people were walking in (construction and cleanup was going on right til showtime). No pool on roof, although I remember going up there with one of the Chakere’s managers to check the AC when Cinema 1 got hot one nite. Remember Rocky III was a monster, theaters 3 and 4 both ran nonstop for weeks, never not full, Empire Strkes back was an all Summer beast…